North Korea has released photos of its leader Kim Jong-il inspecting an Air Force unit.

Kim was shown clapping his hands over his head in one of the 16 pictures recently carried by the North’s Korean Central TV.

This is the first time the North has disclosed a photo of Kim making any kind of active movements since he was rumored to be seriously ill.

North Korean news outlets had been releasing photos of Kim with his left hand either in his pocket or at his side when reporting on his public appearances in October and November.